Dr. Tariq Ramadan provides a clear and blunt clarification for the concept of jihad in Islam- its meaning, objectives, and application. Many Muslims and non-Muslims err in understanding it correctly and many misuse it. The screaming example of ISIS will be explained and the position towards its claims.

Jummah Khutbah delivered on 10th April 2015 at EIIS, Oldham G.Manchester. A powerful reminder by Nouman Ali Khan on how Muslims should respond to the attacks on Islam from the Quranic perspective.
Presented by the European Institute of Islamic Sciences

A journey on the way of understanding and achieving the balance between the three components of (1) the belief in fatalism “ القضاء والقدر“, (2) the personal capacity and freedom of will and choice, and (3) the accountability for our actions. A discussion on the benefits for maintaining such upright understanding in both this worldly life and Hereafter and its effect on both the personal and communal levels. How can we as Muslims living in such very materialistic world deal with these 3 components and benefit from the correct balance between them?

Muslims through ages are always committing a big mistake connecting the Seerah of the Prophet ﷺ to only the series of battles he fought and ascribing the Islamic History to only the conquests. One of the common features for all lands Islam entered is building local infrastructure and governing system by utilizing the local resources compared to the western colonizers who used to steal the resources of their colonies. Throughout the golden age of the Islamic History, Islam created civilization hubs spreading the knowledge and technology for all humanity such as the bright examples in Baghdad, Damascus, Egypt, Qairawan, Andalusia, Persia, etc. How can we study, understand and teach the Seerah and Islamic History beyond the battles and conquests?

It is often said that racism is America’s “original sin.” In 2013, we mark 150 years since the Emancipation Proclamation and 50 years since the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King’s momentous “I have a dream” speech at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Yet race remains salient in American public life. This was never more evident than in the impassioned reactions to the shooting of Trayvon Martin in Florida last spring and the acquittal of George Zimmerman. How is religion a force for racial reconciliation? How is religion involved in maintaining racial division? Does 11:00 on Sunday morning remain, as Dr. King lamented in a 1968 sermon at the Washington National Cathedral, “the most segregated hour in America?” As immigration and changing demographics have reshaped the religious landscape, how will Christians relate to their neighbors of other faiths? We will study important stories of shared history, theological similarities and differences, and aspirations for social justice that both Christians and Muslims share as communities of faith. Religious differences provide fertile ground for animosity and misunderstanding. Over the years, both Muslims and Christians have dealt with extremists who distort the character of true belief. Significant, intelligent dialogue and the development of authentic friendships across religious lines are key to deepening Christians’ and Muslims’ faith. Recorded on

Islamophobes have made claims that there are so called “muslim” grooming gangs. Shaykh Zahir Mahmood response and explains why they are far from Islam. The Sermon was delivered at As-Suffa Institute on 26 October 2018.

When polled, most Americans say they do not know a Muslim. More than 80 percent of media coverage about Islam and Muslims is negative, and Muslims have often found themselves at the center of social and political debate. When it comes to Muslim Americans, the narrative is more often created about our community by the media and by politicians, not by Muslim Americans themselves. If American Muslims do not define themselves individually and collectively, they leave themselves vulnerable to being defined by others.

Imam Abdul Malik discusses how the youth can empower themselves to lead the frontier for Muslim development in the West. This is from the 3rd (2012) Annual New Horizons conference themed, “The Road to Muslimanity” at Brooklyn Technical High School Auditorium, Brooklyn, New York, USA.

Sulayman Nyang, a professor at Howard University and author of “Islam in the United States of America”, identifies the periods in which Islam gradually came to the attention of the American non-Muslim society. He does this by accounting for the various waves of Muslims making their way to America and the great impact they’ve had. These “waves”, or stages of evolution of Muslims in America, are five: the Pre-Columbus explorers and settlers, the importation of slaves, emigration to the “new world”, converts and native-born Muslims, and the institutionalization of Islam in America. Delivered at the Dar al Islam Teachers’ Institute in New Mexico, this talk provides a wealth of information in the form of names, dates and events and is an invaluable resource for any “Islam In America” enthusiast. Other topics discussed: states with large Muslim populations, the perception of Muslims as terrorists, and how Farrakhan views sunni Muslims. (Duration: 1 hour, 34 min)

Islamic scholar Hamza Yusuf talks about whether Islam is comparable with the concept of religious liberty on which America was founded. An American-born Muslim convert who founded the first Muslim liberal arts college in the United States, he has reportedly been put on an ISIL hit-list of Muslim leaders in the West. After his remarks, Professor Yusuf engaged in a dialogue with Professor Farid Senzai and members of the audience.

Mr. Senzai is Associate Professor in the Political Science Department at Santa Clara University. This recording was broadcast on May 18, 2016.

The Quran states that men and women were created to be equal parts of a pair. Considering women in the West received the right to vote, inherit and own property thirteen centuries later, the Prophet (pbuh) teachings were both radical and revolutionary. For example, Muslim women gained full ownership over their money, while husbands had the responsibility to provide for them even if their wives were wealthier than them. This talk will address the various myths about women in Islam, and will highlight specific examples of how the Prophet (pbuh) improved women’s position in a society where they were buried alive.

Shaykh Yasir Qadhi discusses how Islam came with social change and principles that still hold true today. How do we maintain these principles in today’s climate? How can we preserve the Prophetic call to social justice? This lecture is from IlmFest 2018 in Toronto, Canada on July 29th, 2018.

Can Islam be accepted, alongside Christianity, Judaism and other faiths, as an American religion? Are Muslims able to recognize the positive elements of American culture and values? As a distinguished American Muslim scholar, Shaykh Hamza Yusuf is in a unique position to ask these questions and offer insights that challenge the clash of civilizations narrative. Beginning in Andalusia, Muslims contributed to the rise of European civilization through philosophy, science, medicine, art and civil society. Many of the Founding Fathers of the United States welcomed Muslims into the fabric of American society. Yet today, we face our own set of challenges and opportunities. Islamophobia is on the rise and many Muslims feel alienated. Shaykh Hamza Yusuf will explore shared Abrahamic cultural and ethical values that unite Christians, Jews and Muslims. He will also discuss how Muslims throughout history preserved the best elements of their religion and their diverse cultures to created unique syntheses. Join us for a special evening with one of the leading and most celebrated American Muslim intellectuals of our time.

Some try to insult him, but ending up insulting themselves. His name is known to the world. He is beloved by some and hated by others. He left a legacy that no man before him nor any man after him has ever left. He changed the world upside down. He is a man that the world has never seen the likes of. Muslims would sacrifice their lives out of their love for him. But does this man, this Prophet, Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), have anything to offer to the non-Muslim Western world? Can he be a role model even in the modern West? Join Yusha Evans in his emotional and engaging lecture from Peace Conference Scandinavia, about Muhammed: The Role Model for the West.

The Prophetic Character should teach us how to rise above individualistic concerns and become global communities of unbound love, mercy and profound tolerance.

It is apparent from the plight in many parts of the world today, that there is an absence to the adherence of these lofty Prophetic traits, which has led to much religious and ideological fanaticism.

The rise of atheism and violent extremism have both simultaneously damaged the faith of people and led to disillusionment. Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) character and qualities are universal in nature from which humanity should take heed from.

Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad eloquently advises the necessity to connect to the timeless message of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and discusses how his character is the remedy to healing our hearts in the spiritual chaos of the modern age.

Imam Zaid Shakir discusses the noble historical role of Prophet Muhahammad (SAW) in light of the current events upon the release of a derogatory film depicting a negative image and how some Muslims have responded to it.

How should Muslims deal with practices reprehended by the shariah? If enjoining good and forbidding evil is a central Islamic shariah concept and a duty on Muslims in general, what are our limits in implementing it and the etiquettes we need to observe?

In the global society today sometimes there are societal opinions that are contrary to Islamic beliefs and understanding. Muslims may feel out of place and out of time without adopting these new norms that have evolved over time. How can we remain true to our identity as Muslims but continue to live and be inclusive with our neighbors and societies.

In this critical and timely talk, Shaykh Yahya Rhodus emphasizes and highlights the urgency of the preservation and dissemination of knowledge, which is the Prophetic inheritance. He continues to explain that Imam al-Ghazali highlighted three principles in his magnum opus, Ihya Ulum al-Din (Revival of the Religious Sciences), that are meant to bring about renewal of faith in people: knowledge, devotion and service.

According to Shaykh Yahya, establishing SeekersHub and other institutions of Islamic knowledge is the most important obligation of this time and fulfills these principles. “Learning the sciences of the Sacred Law, with an unbroken chain in the established traditional way, while utilizing the beneficial modern methods and ways of instruction and making it relevant to the times we live in, in order to facilitate practice.”

He expresses that this is what he sees when he looks at SeekersHub, and that no one should underestimate their potential in bringing this matter to fruition. He explains that realizing this potential is through seeking great matters from Allah, through His Greatness.

Objectives of the Islamic shariah involve approaching Islam based on guidelines set forth by Allah’s guidance. Understanding these objectives allows us to handle contemporary daily life challenges, bringing truth to the Arabic proverb: “ومكان زمان لكل صالح اإلسالم“ [Islam is fit for all times and places]

There’s an acute shortage of imams in America. This shortage is magnified by the multifunctionality of the American mosque serving as more than a place of worship. It is a hub for social interaction, charitable support, counseling, interfaith dialogue, youth services, and more. Unfortunately, some young Muslims feel alienated from the mosque. What can be done to ensure that more imams in America are trained in classical Islam while also being relevant with American culture?

Postmodern worldviews intrinsically challenge the authority of scripture and create a bubble of sacredness around human rights ground in public reason. How do we achieve the balance of staying modern while cherishing the Divine text?

How do we collaborate with individuals and organizations with whom we might have clear differences in beliefs and practices? If Muslims are always asked to encourage what is good and eradicate what is bad, then how do we follow this creed in times of differences with our collaborators?

One thing that every Muslim needs to understand is that we are living in very dire situations and circumstances. We are living in a time and place where, unless we take action, the next stages can keep getting worse and worse as time goes by.

During those tough situations, especially when fighting for a Muslim being treated unfairly, one might say there is no financial backup in order to support them. In fact, we are allowed to use Zakat money in order to help fight for their justice, as we are helping the community. Yes, we do give Zakat to the people who are hungry, but there are eight categories in total for which we are allowed to give money for.

Now when donating, we don’t just give $5, instead, we give a good amount of our Zakat money. Why? Because that one case that the lawyers are defending for, it can have an impact across the country. One case can secure the right for six million Muslims. Imagine how that one case can clear the path for our children in the future. Therefore we should always be open-minded whenever a certain situation arises.

When you look at Muslim scholar Dalia Mogahed, what do you see: a woman of faith? a scholar, a mom, a sister? or an oppressed, brainwashed, potential terrorist? In this personal, powerful talk, Mogahed asks us, in this polarizing time, to fight negative perceptions of her faith in the media — and to choose empathy over prejudice.

Imams and scholars who grew up here in the United States are often better able to connect with the larger society. This session addresses how to overcome the lack of American Muslim scholars and Imams and how to work toward building initiatives to address this need.

Islam does not contradict our identity as Americans. Our faith is relevant for all times and places. Unfortunately there are Muslims without any understanding of Islam who claim to be speaking on behalf of the faith, which they end up tarnishing it instead.

As part of Islamic Awareness Week, the MSA at the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) held its Friday khutbah in a public place as a means of dawah, and invited Sh. Yasir Qadhi to deliver the sermon. Join Shaykh Dr. Yasir Qadhi as he talks about some of the problems that Muslims face in modern times and the role of a Muslim in a Non-Muslim society.

What does it mean to follow the Shariah in the West? Is the Shariah in the West different from the Shariah in the East? Is the Shariah in a Muslim country different than the Shariah in a country where Muslims are the minorities? In this lecture, Dr. Johnathan AC Brown will clarify these points and elaborate on the role of the Shariah in a Democratic government.

It is reported in the Sahih of Imam Muslim that one day our Prophet Muhammad(S) was once sitting on one of the houses of Medinah. He looked around and said to the Sahabas: “Do you see what I’m seeing” They said “What oh Messenger of Allah” The Prophet answered: I see trials and tribulations falling upon your houses like the drops of rain. The frequency , the quantity will affect everybody”

In another Hadith, our Prophet(S) said that towards end of time, trials would become repetitive by nature. Every time a trial/calamity would come, the believers would become scared and terrified. They will say that we cannot pass this trial. The Prophet(S) said Allah will open up the doors and let it go away. Then another will come, they will say “ This is my destruction” and so on and so forth.

Nowadays when we look at how many incidents are taking place, how many issues that are rising day by day. We can see the difference of the how the world was before and what it has become now!

Dr. Tariq Ramadan discusses on how Muslims need to start being serious about our religion and to ask tough questions to firmly solidify our belief especially being confronted with other ideas in our current times.

The American Muslim community is under pressure to conform and let go of its morals and beliefs. Due to the negative climate and constant barrage of Islamophobia, many Muslims lose hope or suffer trauma and anxiety. This session will help up to identify this crisis and offer solutions.

The challenges and moral dilemmas facing American Muslims requires an understanding of the shifts in ideological, social, religious and political forces that are shaping the structure and function of families in the United States. The challenge facing the American Muslim is to not only maintain its Islamic identity, but to initiate change in the social and political spheres in light of the principles of the noble Qur’an.

The relationship between Islam and the West is the topic of ongoing debate, often depicted as a choice between two disparate worlds: the modern West with science and secular education, or Islam with Qur’anic based education characterized by orthodoxy and tradition. In the hope of promoting dialogue instead of polarization, Nouman Ali Khan searches for the ideas and ideals of education, schooling and learning within Islam. Wherever knowledge and learning have blossomed, education, schooling and teaching must have flourished too. Was not an educational culture part of the highly developed intellectual culture of classical Islam? Hermeneutics and the theory of interpretation offers an inspiring perspective on an education that strikes the balance between tradition and the future. What is the future of Qur’anic education in a modern context?

Anyone with even a modicum of exposure to popular culture can see a pervasive occult element in films, television, and music. Vampires, sorcerers, witches, secret society references, and satanic rituals have come out from the shadows and onto center stage in popular culture. Those of us of a certain age have witnessed the increasingly graphic depiction of violence that began with the game-changing 1967 film Bonnie and Clyde. This trend now includes a multi-billion dollar game industry with titles like “Grand Theft Auto” and “School Massacre.” Coupled with the violence is the disturbing “pornification” of culture that has resulted in another multi-billion dollar sex industry of exploitation and degradation. Lest we forget, a dark soundtrack to all of this blares out from car stereos and smartphones straight into the ears of our youth, lulling them into a stupor in which reflection and reality to them are as distant and faded as the once bright lights of the now lost night sky. This unsettling talk will take a serious look at the forces behind these trends, their agendas, and the damage they have already inflicted on young minds. It will also give practical means to mitigate the influence in our homes and communities, and provide strategies for combating it. Please note: Given the subject matter and the use of some graphic images, please consider this session rated PG 13.

Hamza Yusuf, President and Co-founder of Zaytuna College delivers in which he addresses four topics chosen by our online audience. From the Zaytuna conference, Reclaiming Our Faith: Negotiating Modern Theological Fault Lines held in Anaheim, California on May 25, 2013.

Finding a hard time to accept hadith? Dr. Jonathan brown discusses hadith and criticism of hadith. From the Zaytuna conference, Reclaiming Our Faith: Negotiating Modern Theological Fault Lines held in Anaheim, California on May 25, 2013.

Sheikh Kamal El Mekki discusses the issues pertaining to Modesty and its importance to society during Day 1 of his lecture “An Itchy Heart” held at Fanar – Qatar Islamic Cultural Center on the 5th & 6th April 2013.

Looking into four misconceptions the West had with Islam when it first encountered with Islam. You can trace a lot of the “problems” today between “Islam and the West” to these four early misconceptions.

One of the slogans of the Occupy Movement is, “We are the ninety-nine percent.” In this provocative lecture, Dr. Abdul Hakim Quick examine this slogan in light of global realities, with specific reference to his time in Africa, to show how North Americans, rich or poor, collectively are the global 1%. We are the beneficiaries of schemes of economic and political exploitation and oppression. What is our collective responsibility to our less fortunate brothers and sisters in humanity? This is just one of the many questions Dr. Quick will address in this presentation.

Modern societies have become fundamentalist in their secularism and have effectively banned religion from the public square. Religion has been relegated to the status of a personal hobby, to be practiced behind closed doors. Does public morality suffer as a result? Is religious morality inherently divisive and disruptive as many believe?

In his bestselling book, Ill Fares the Land, Tony Judt passionately argues that individualism, egoism, greed and the
politics they gave birth to are undermining the very basis
of community, equality and social justice. In the ensuing
social carnage no one suffers more than the poor and disenfranchised members of our society. What are the political foundations of community, equality and social justice?
Can America be a great nation if it tramples on its poor and downtrodden? How can more affluent Muslims display more compassion for the less fortunate members of our society–both Muslims and others? These are some of the questions Imam Siraj Wahhaj will answer in this lecture.

The Prophet Muhammad, peace upon him, is reported to have said, “If there were a prophet after me it would be Umar.” In this lecture, the President of the Islamic Society of North America, Imam Mohammed Magid, will examine the life and times of Umar bin al-Khattab, with special emphasis of his brilliant legal thinking, the mercy those rulings involve and the relevance for today’s Muslims, especially those of us here in the West.

The Prophet Muhammad, peace upon him, described himself as a gift of mercy to the world. However, to many in the West he is seen as a messenger of violence, vengeance and wrath. In this lecture, the esteemed scholar, Shaykh Muhammad Ninowy, will examine the ways the gift of the Prophet’s mercy shined as a light upon his community, his enemies and the world. He will point out the ways we can reflect that light to help to illuminate the path for people, including many Muslims, who have lost their way in the world.

Jonathan Brown examines the historical misunderstandings about the Prophet Muhammad’s life to kick off the Ali Vural Ak Center for Global Islamic Studies Spring 2011 Lecture Series. Recorded on February 15, 2011.

In his final address to the non-Muslim participants of the New Mexico educational retreat, Abdal Hakim looks at the other aspects of the long-standing historical interaction of the three Abrahamic faiths, such as the transmission of science, technology, and philosophical ideas from the Islamic world to the Western world. Islam in the middle ages was a very successful commercial and material civilization and this fact combined with the Muslim’s strategic geographic positions allowed for such a profound influence and contribution. The speaker looks at the economic/cultural/scientific contributions in the areas of maritine navigation and exploration, agriculture, music, poetry, mathematics, astronomy, medicine, chemistry, and much more. (Recorded at the Dar al Islam Teachers’ Institute seminar).

Kemal El-Mekki gives us some tips on giving Dawah in the west. These days, Dawah is becoming more and more important to Muslims living in the West. With so much misinformation splashed around about Islam and Muslims. It’s time we increase our knowledge and be prepared to rectify this misinformation, whether it be our neighbours, work colleagues or school friends.